What to Do When Someone Dies in Carson City, Nevada

Probate in Carson City runs through the First Judicial District Court: prove the will, settle the debts, and pass the house to the heirs. Here is how the local process works—and what each step actually costs.

What probate costsHow to fileTransferring propertyLocal attorneys

When someone dies in Carson City, settling their estate runs through the First Judicial District Court. This page covers the court record, whether probate is required, what it costs, how to file, transferring property, and the local attorneys who handle probate here.

Probate Court Record

First Judicial District Court

Carson City · 1st Judicial District

Address

885 East Musser Street, Suite 3031Carson City, NV 89701-3031

Hours

Monday - Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Visit court website →
Paper filing available

On January 8, 2026, Carson City migrated from carson.org to carsoncity.gov domain. Email addresses changed to @carsoncity.gov. Court is on the 3rd floor. (nvcourts.gov still lists the legacy carson.org domain and districtcourtclerk@Carson.org as of June 2026.)

Open in Google Maps

Verified July 4, 2026 · Source

How Probate Works in Carson City

Probate is the court-supervised process of settling someone's estate after they die — validating the will, paying debts and taxes, and transferring what's left to the heirs. In Carson City, probate runs through the First Judicial District Court at 885 East Musser Street, Suite 3031, Carson City. The court sits in the 1st Judicial District. Carson City shares the 1st Judicial District with Storey.

The personal representative opens the case, gives notice to heirs and creditors, files an inventory of the estate's assets, settles outstanding debts and taxes, and then distributes the remainder under the will — or under Nevada intestacy law when there is no will.

Most Nevada estates take 6 months to 9 months to move through this process. The 3 monthsNRS 147.040Verified Sep 8, 2026View source creditor claim window is the largest fixed piece of that timeline — a mandatory wait regardless of how simple the estate is.

What Probate Costs in Carson City

What probate costs in Carson City, Nevada comes down to a handful of line items — the court filing fee, attorney and executor compensation, publication, and sometimes a bond — scaled by the estate's size and whether the will is contested. The case itself runs through the First Judicial District Court at 885 East Musser Street, Suite 3031, Carson City. The court is part of the 1st Judicial District.

Local procedures at this court that affect cost: Inventory due 60 days from appointment; First accounting due 6 months from appointment. These are county-specific and not posted on the statewide court site.

Nevada charges $0 - $426 (based on estate value)NRS 19.013(1), NRS 19.020(2), NRS 19.0302(1)(c)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to open probate, the same in every county. Additional filings during administration — inventory, accounting, the final petition — add to the total.

Estimate the costs for this estate:

Attorney fees in Nevada are negotiated, typically 1%NRS 150.060 (reasonable compensation; if computed on the value of the estate the court allows 4% on first $100K, 3% next $100K, 2% next $800K, 1% next $9M, 0.5% next $15M — hourly billing also permitted, fee fixed by written agreement and approved by the court)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source to 4%NRS 150.060 (reasonable compensation; if computed on the value of the estate the court allows 4% on first $100K, 3% next $100K, 2% next $800K, 1% next $9M, 0.5% next $15M — hourly billing also permitted, fee fixed by written agreement and approved by the court)Verified Sep 8, 2026View source of estate value. Flat-fee arrangements are common for straightforward estates.

Executor compensation is also statutory in Nevada. Family executors who are also beneficiaries often waive the fee — executor pay is taxable income while inheritances are not.

Nevada requires publishing creditor notice in a local newspaper, typically $200–$500. Professional appraisals for real estate or business interests add $300–$600 per asset.

Probate in Nevada typically runs 6 months to 9 months, and costs accrue throughout that period.

How to File Probate at the First Judicial District Court

Probate cases in Carson City are filed at the First Judicial District Court. File in person during business hours or by mail. The court sits in the 1st Judicial District.

How to File Your Documents

Paper Filing Available

You can file your probate documents in person at the court or by mail.

Can You File Without an Attorney?

Not every estate requires an attorney. Estate size, asset types, and whether beneficiaries agree determine if self-filing at the First Judicial District Court is realistic.

For a full cost comparison and filing checklist, see the Carson City Self-Filing Assessment.

Carson City Filing Requirements

These are specific requirements for filing probate in this county. Following these guidelines will help avoid delays or rejected filings.

Before You File

No e-filing currently available

New AOC online case management system planned for 2026. All filings must be submitted in paper form with original signatures in blue ink on 8.5x11 paper, double-spaced.

Source

Will lodging required within 30 days of death

Filing fee: $18.

Source: NRS 136

Court Appearances

Uncontested probate hearings at 8:30 AM

Law & Motion: Mondays (Dept I), Tuesdays (Dept II). Adoptions at 11:30 AM. Opposition due 14 days before hearing; Reply due 7 days before.

Source: 1JDCR

Service Requirements

Creditor notice publication required 3 times

At least 10 days between first and last publication. 90-day (general) or 60-day (summary) claim period.

Source: NRS 155.020

What to Bring

To file at the First Judicial District Court you need: the original will (or proof there isn't one), a certified death certificate, contact information for all heirs and beneficiaries, and a summary of what the estate owns and owes.

Transferring Property in Carson City

Clearing title to real estate after a death, whether by a personal representative’s deed, an affidavit of survivorship, or a court order, happens at the County Recorder.

Deeds and other real property documents for Carson City are recorded with the County Recorder, led by Clerk-Recorder William "Scott" Hoen, at 885 East Musser Street, Suite 1028, Carson City, NV 89701. Phone: 775-887-2260. Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (documents must be presented before 4:30 PM for same-day recording).

The County Recorder charges $43 flat, regardless of page count.

Carson City accepts electronic recording through Simplifile.

Recording Office Record

County Recorder

Carson City · Clerk-Recorder · William "Scott" Hoen

Address

885 East Musser Street, Suite 1028Carson City, NV 89701

Hours

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (documents must be presented before 4:30 PM for same-day recording)

E-recording

Available via Simplifile
Visit recorder website →

Recording fees

Flat fee (any length)$43
Transfer tax on a TOD deedExempt

NRS 247.305

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Verified September 8, 2026 · Source

Probate Attorneys Serving Carson City

Nevada uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Carson City — the filing sequence, notice requirements, and accounting leave little room for error. Estates under the small-estate threshold are the usual exception.

Nevada uses a presumed-reasonable fee schedule for probate attorneys — the percentages are a starting point that can be negotiated, especially for simple estates. Carson City firms typically follow the schedule for routine work and negotiate on complex matters.

A probate attorney files the petition with the First Judicial District Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.

FirmCarson City, NV

Allison MacKenzie, Ltd.

Since 1968 · Serves 5 counties

Carson City general-practice firm founded in 1968, serving Carson City, Douglas, Lyon, Storey, and Washoe counties before the First Judicial District Court. Twelve attorneys handle wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, probate administration, and guardianships, with three focused specifically on probate. More than 50 years of continuous Nevada practice.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateGuardianshipBusiness LawReal Estate Law

Office
402 N. Division StreetCarson City, NV 89703

FirmCarson City, NV

Carson Tahoe Estate Planning Center, LLC

Serves 4 counties

Estate planning firm serving the Lake Tahoe Basin and Northern Nevada with offices in Carson City, Lake Tahoe, and Gardnerville. Founder Justin Sinner is licensed in both Nevada and California, focusing on revocable living trusts, wills, probate, trust administration, and guardianships.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateGuardianshipand 3 more

Office
123 W. Nye Lane, Suite 449Carson City, NV 89706
Free consultation

Solo PracticeCarson City, NV

Handelin Law, LTD

Since 2011 · Serves 5 counties

Carson City firm providing estate planning and business law services since 2011. Steven Handelin brings a direct, thoughtful approach to estate planning for clients across Carson City, Reno, Lake Tahoe, and surrounding communities. Licensed in both Nevada and California.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateAsset ProtectionBusiness Formationand 2 more

Office
1100 South Carson StreetCarson City, NV 89701

Solo PracticeReno, NV

J. Douglas Clark Attorney at Law, Ltd.

Since 1979 · Serves 6 counties

Reno sole practice devoted exclusively to the trusts and estates field for over 36 years. J. Douglas Clark is the founding president of the Probate Bar Association of Washoe County and past president of the Estate Planning Council of Northern Nevada.

PracticesEstate PlanningProbateTrust LitigationAlternative Dispute Resolutionand 2 more

Office
510 West Plumb Lane, Suite BReno, NV 89509
Free consultation

FirmMinden, NV

Kaufmann Law

Serves 3 counties

Estate planning and personal injury firm in Minden serving Douglas County, Carson City, and the Carson Valley. Gene Kaufmann brings 25+ years of experience with particular expertise in will contests and undue influence claims. Licensed in Nevada, California, and Indiana.

PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateBusiness PlanningWills

Office
1576 3rd StreetMinden, NV 89423

Solo PracticeMinden, NV

Law Office of Karen L. Winters

Since 1996 · Serves 3 counties

Located in the historic old-town section of Minden, the firm represents clients in Douglas County and surrounding areas. Karen Winters brings more than 35 years of legal experience in both public and private sectors, with a focus on estate planning and elder law.

PracticesEstate PlanningElder LawMedicaid PlanningBusiness Law

Office
1594 Mono AvenueMinden, NV 89423
See all 32 firms serving Carson City→

Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.

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Legal Sources

Data sourced from Nevada statutes and official state code. How we research.

Notify Banks & Financial Institutions

Each institution has a separate death claim process. Find yours below.

America First logo

Credit Union serving the West and Southwest

America First

BMO logo

Bank serving the West, Midwest, and more

BMO

Cathay Bank logo

Bank serving the Northeast, West, and more

Cathay Bank

Citibank logo

Bank serving the Northeast, West, and more

Citibank

City National logo

Bank serving the Southeast, West, and more

City National

Columbia Bank logo

Bank serving the West and Southwest

Columbia Bank

CommunityAmerica logo

Credit Union serving the Midwest, Southeast, and more

CommunityAmerica

COUNTRY Financial logo

Insurance Company serving the Midwest, West, and more

COUNTRY Financial

CSAA Insurance logo

Insurance Company serving the West, Northeast, and more

CSAA Insurance

Customers Bank logo

Bank serving the Northeast, West, and more

Customers Bank

D.A. Davidson logo

Brokerage serving the West, Midwest, and more

D.A. Davidson

East West Bank logo

Bank serving the West, Northeast, and more

East West Bank

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